Sharing a few things I have learned this year

[roadracer]

I wanted to share a few of my experiences this year, and maybe some random thoughts. For context, I deal with neurogenic bladder/bowel and have had trouble preventing infections.

1. I was told that if you intermittent cath long enough, your bladder can colonize with bacteria, without you actually having a infection. This can make it hard for inexperienced doctors to properly diagnose a infection. In my case, a er dr diagnosed a infection, and I did several rounds of antibiotics, only to find out from my urologist I likely didn't have a infection.

2. Something I learned the hard way, always thoroughly inspect catheters and any sterile product and packaging before using it! I had a intermittent cath that split in half while pulling it out, leaving half inside! We suspect it was cut at the medical supply company when they opened the case, or at some point during shipping. I had to have it removed at the er with a cystoscope. Removing it was simple enough, but since it was after hours, it required them to call in a crew of people and urologist to open the operating room, just for a cystoscope to remove it! The bill was massively expensive (thankfully it was all covered by insurance)

3. The standard of three or so brief changes per day might be letting to much bacteria produce, making it harder to clean before cathing? Not sure if this would cause more infections, but it is my thinking that changing more often causes less bacteria?

4. I have found that booster pads can be stacked and replaced without changing the brief. If I need to change in a public restroom I find it much easier to change a booster pad then changing the brief. I just slip out the old one and insert a new pad, and this can get me a extra hour or so.

5. I stopped wearing underwear over top my brief, and I have way less skin issues. I think it lets more air in, if that makes sense? I also have less issues with leaks. I was told that briefs are designed with room in the back, to contain a bowel movement, so compressing that area with underwear, can lead to a leak. Not sure if this is a issue for anyone else?

[Patrick]

Thanks for your useful insights.

[JDinVirginia]

Thanks Roadracer!

--John